Tools of the Trade Explained

9 Benefits of Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems

September 6, 2016 by Sindy Aubrey

Ductless heating and cooling systems have a continuously growing popularity. More Americans choose split or multi-split HVAC systems over ducted ones. Although the main reason they do so is convenience when installing them, ductless systems are superior when talking about running costs, comfort, air quality, and environmental effects.

How Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Can Benefit You

Just as ducted heating and cooling systems, ductless ones can be used all year around. However, a ductless heating and cooling system has multiple benefits over traditional ducted ones. Here are the most important ones.

1. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Are Adaptable to Your Interior Design

Ductless systems are mistakenly believed to interfere with each home’s aesthetics, this simply isn’t true. The inside units, also called air handlers, have a timeless look that will fit in any interior. In addition, they come in a multitude of sizes, shapes, and colors so they can be matched with each room’s color scheme. Portable split systems are connected to their outside unit through a flexible pipe. Therefore, they can be stored in a nearby closet or behind a couch when not in use.

2. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Are Easier to Install

The first advantage we notice when installing a ductless heating and cooling system is how flexible it is. Although ducted systems usually have vents that are leveled with the walls and floors in our homes, they can only be installed at a certain distance from their main unit. A ductless system’s outside unit can be placed up to 50 feet away from the inside unit(s) without considerably affecting the performance. In addition, the air handlers can be installed on walls, ceilings, or floor if space is limited.

All ductless heating and cooling systems reviews have one thing in common: Quick and easy installation. Given they are ductless, these HVAC systems require less labor and generate far less clutter than central air conditioners. Their ducted counterparts can take days to install and leave behind pounds of debris, but ductless systems are a breeze. They only require a 3-inch hole in the wall, which is then insulated in a few minutes.

3. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Are Cheaper to Run

Energy costs widely vary across the United States, but one thing is sure: Electricity is more expensive than a few years ago. Although ductless heating and cooling systems cost more than other HVAC systems, monthly utility bills are up to 30% lower. This might seem exaggerated but the truth is, no matter how well-insulated ducts are, they lose a lot of energy.

In addition, the variable-speed compressor technology in ductless systems adjusts their functioning to the current outside temperature. Therefore, the initial investment will pay off in the not-so-long run. Energy star certified appliances also make you eligible for government rebates and incentives, which further cuts down costs.

4. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Are Customizable

Being able to individually control temperatures in different rooms make ductless cooling and heating systems highly flexible. Multi-split systems are particularly effective at acclimatizing only part of your house. This helps you conserve energy, reduce utility expenses, and be environmentally friendly. Each air handler has its own thermostat which increases the accuracy of the system and your overall comfort.

Timers and special functions can be particularly useful in saving energy and keeping your house greener. On a typical Saturday, your ductless system can automatically stop heating up or cooling down the bedrooms once everyone has gotten up. During the day, it is generally needed in the living room and/or dining room. Once evening comes, the system will resume its activity in the bedrooms and stop working in common areas that will no longer be occupied. Some systems can even be programmed to work differently during workdays and weekends, which can be extremely useful.

More appliances today come with a Wi-Fi connection that allows you to control them through a web or mobile app.

5. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Improve Air Quality

ductless heating and cooling systems clean the air

Allergens that can be found in the air during spring.

Modern split or multi-split heating and cooling systems also work as air purifiers. They are equipped with filters that gather dust particles, allergens, or microorganisms and protect your family from airborne diseases. They also reduce cross-contamination to nearby rooms or unpleasant smells that can occur in a home. If these filters are regularly cleaned, using an air purifier becomes redundant.

Most ductless systems manufactured in the last few years also have a humidity control function. Its main benefit is maintaining a comfortable environment in your home, but can also have health benefits. Your eyes, respiratory system, and skin can be affected by air that is excessively dry or humid. By keeping humidity constant and at healthy levels, ductless systems actively protect you from health complications – be it summer or winter.

6. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Are Environmentally Friendly

Ductless system’s impressive energy efficiency is not only great news for our pockets. By consuming less energy, these appliances lower the carbon footprint of your home. Ductless systems smartly use thermodynamics to acclimatize our homes, but they also use advanced chemistry to be eco-friendly. By replacing pollutant substances that were used as refrigerants with the new R410A, modern ductless systems reduced their effect on the ozone layer close to zero.

7. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Are Less Noisy

You can forget about rumbling, rattling, or even humming with a ductless heating and cooling system. When in use, the outside unit is considerably quieter than its ducted counterparts. In fact, it is quiet enough to not distinguish its noise with the windows closed. The inside air handlers are as noisy as a whisper, or about 20 dB.

8. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Need Less Maintenance and Repairs

Given there are fewer components, the maintenance process takes less time and is cheaper for a ductless system. In addition, repairs are also less costly and messy given all the components are easily accessible. In a ducted system, however, plenty of things can go wrong.

In a ducted system, poor connections among different segments of the duct or deficient insulation can lead to considerable energy losses. This leads to high expenses and a considerable amount of time invested in optimizing the system. With a ductless heating and cooling system, this is no longer an issue.

9. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems Have a Long Lifespan

The average life expectancy of a split or multi-split heating and cooling system is between 10 and 16 years. However, if properly maintained, a ductless heating and cooling system can last over 20 years.

Of course, for all these to be valid you need to create favorable conditions for your ductless heating and cooling system.

How to Make Sure You Enjoy These Benefits from Day 1

Here are some tips and tricks that will maximize the efficiency of a ductless cooling and heating system as soon as the installation is complete:

Choosing the right system size is by far the most important step. An undersized one will not provide enough warm or cool air for its designated space and will waste a lot of energy while trying to keep up. At the same time, an oversized unit will cost more than needed for its purpose.
- For small or medium-sized rooms of up to 350 square feet, a 9,000 BTU inside air handler should be enough to provide a constant temperature. Rooms of up to 500 square feet usually require a 12,000 BTU indoor unit. For rooms of around 750 square feet, an 18,000 BTU system would make more sense.
- Larger common spaces like dining rooms or living rooms with open space kitchens will need more powerful air handlers. A 1,000 square feet room will be comfortably acclimatized by a 24,000 BTU inside unit. For rooms of 1,200-1,300 square feet, an air handler of 30,000 BTU is required. Spaces of 1,500 square feet can be successfully acclimatized by a 36,000 BTU inside unit.
- Outdoor units for multi-split systems are designed to meet the combined flow of multiple indoors air handlers. Nevertheless, larger homes might need 2 or 3 multi-split outdoor units to keep up.

Changing or cleaning the filters every 3 months is a must for an efficient appliance that lets out clean air. Filters are effective at gathering dust or potentially harmful microorganisms, but they can become health hazards if not cleaned or changed. The warm, sometimes humid, spongy material can become an agreeable place for said microorganisms to multiply. When the system is turned on, these will be released into the air you breathe – which is not desirable.

ductless heating and cooling systems filter

How to clean the filter of a ductless heating and cooling system

Maintenance is the second most important procedure that will improve the functioning of your ductless HVAC system. A yearly maintenance visit from a professional is recommended, even when things seem to run smoothly. This will guarantee your split or multi-split appliance will work efficiently and provide a comfortable temperature all year around.

Acclimatization stopped being a caprice a long time ago. Today, it is an amenity everyone needs to have access to. Choose a green and healthy appliance for cooling and heating your home; Go ductless!

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

A Guide to Copeland Compressors

March 7, 2016 by itadmin

Air compressors have been an integrating part of our lives for many years now. They owe their popularity partially to the fact that, in order to run, they use air as a primary resource, which is clean, convenient, found in abundance, and very safe. This is why compressors have become quite a vital piece of machinery in many devices and applications. Copeland compressors are one of the best models you will find on the market today and, if you have your heart set on buying one, here is everything you need to know about them.

What Is a Compressor and How Does It Work?

Any compressor is basically a refrigerant gas pump in which the evaporator part changes the refrigerant gas from a low pressure one to a great pressure one, via compression, which has this effect on gasses. Compressors are made of two parts: the source of power and the mechanism that compresses the air, which can be either a piston or a vane.

In laymen’s terms, here is how a compressor works: the air comes into the machine via the piston or the vane, its pressure is increased while its volume is decreased, and these two simultaneous actions compress it. When the pressure has reached the maximum point, which is usually set by the manufacturer or by the operator, a switch will happen in the mechanism’s workings that will prevent any further air from coming into the compressor. The already compressed air will be used by the device until it’s all gone and the pressure reaches its low again. When that happens, the reverse switch will allow for more air to come in and all the procedure will begin again. The process repeats itself in this way as long as the compressor is in functioning state.

This is the typical way in which air compressors work and the Copeland compressors are no different. They were designed specifically for air conditioning units and are an integral part of the system. Air conditioners and refrigerators actually work in the same way, as far as compressors go. The only difference is that, unlike fridges, which just cool off a small, closed space, an air conditioner cools off a room, a house or a building.

An air conditioner is made of three parts: the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The first two are normally placed on the outside of the machine, while the evaporator can usually be found inside the house, as part of a furnace, with some models. This is also the bit that heats up your house.

Compressor Performance Factors

There are some performance factors you need to be aware of when you’re buying a compressor, such as:

rotation speed;
suction pressure;
discharge pressure;
type of refrigerant that the compressor uses.

While all compressors basically work in the same way, they do operate at different capacities, because they have different sizes, purposes, types of refrigerants, and horsepower input. This is why, when out shopping for a new compressor, you should always check the machine’s characteristics and configuration, its operation type, price and operation cost.

If you cannot decide on your own what type of compressor to buy after checking these specifications, you should ask with the manufacturer for support, who will be more than happy to aid you in purchasing a compressor that will suit your needs and budget. Emerson Climate Technologies, the company that produces the Copeland compressors offers great support to customers in this exact same situation and helps them buy the Copeland compressor perfect for them.

Types of Compressors

Here are the most common types of compressors you can find on the market today:

Rotary – these ones are usually used in refrigeration machines, not necessarily in air conditioning. They are pieces of equipment with low capacity that are made of one vane, placed inside its body and sealed against the rotor. They can also be made of a multivane rotary, but in this case the vanes will be located in the rotor.
Centrifugal – These are the ones that revolve at high speed and which compress the air through the centrifugal force. Usually, they need very high and very specific volumes of air to work, which will need low compression ratios. If one is in the need of greater than normal discharge pressures, multi-stage units can be utilized for this purpose. The number of stage units will be given by the gas’ discharge temperature when it makes its way out of the rotor. These are the most used types of compressors in air conditioning for water chilling and in refrigeration for freezing things at very low temperatures.
Reciprocating – these compressors move in cylinders and have pistons and there are several types out there:

Open compressors, in which one outer part of the crankshaft is pulled out of the crankcase. That, in turn, allows for multiple drives to be used alongside this compressor. They usually have a mechanic seal, which is utilized to check if the oil or the refrigerant might have leaked out or if any of the air might have escaped inside. This type of compressor runs on an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. It also has belt drive, which allows for changes in speed, by altering the pulleys’ dimensions. Apart from belt drive, it comes with direct drive units as well and through them, an open type compressor can be set to work at the motor speed.
Hermetic compressors, which are hermetically serviceable. They have the motor and the compressor placed together in the same housing. There is also the welded hermetic compressor, a variation of the hermetic one, in which the motor and the compressor are usually placed in a welded steel shell.

Copeland Scroll Compressors

As far as Copeland compressors go, they come in three different types:

Scroll – the Copeland Scroll compressor has a reputation of being one of the best in the world, especially the ZR and UltraTech Next Generation series. It has reached the 100 million installation mark world-wide, as it provides home owners and general end-users with a very reliable, compliant and cost efficient piece of machinery. The 1-60 HP scroll compressor fits every need and application, such as: air conditioning, for both commercial and home use, refrigeration, commercial and industrial and refrigerated transport. The scroll compressor can also be digital and it is enhanced with vapor injection technology. If you desire, you can install a capacitor in it as well, because the scroll compressor allows it.

Semi-hermetic – these are ¼-60 HP DWM Copeland compressors, which provide a top notch alternative for systems that require a full performance as far as temperature goes, including conditions of evaporating at very low temperatures, as much as -40° F. The most famous of the semi-hermetic Copeland compressors is the Copelametic line.
Hermetic – These one have been designed to respond to evaporating capability needs. They provide very cost-efficient solutions to the systems that require such needs and they come at 1/8-5 HP. A great thing about this type of Copeland compressor is the fact that it comes in more than 300 models, which means you have every chance of finding the specific one for your needs.
Discus – this is the most energy efficient compressor from the Copeland line and it’s usually used for refrigeration purposes.
Screw – the screw compressors are the rotary, positive displacement type, which comes with a main screw and two gaterotors.

Emerson Climate Technologies

The producer company of the Copeland compressors, Emerson Climate Technologies, is one of the world’s leading compressor producers. Although US based, the Copeland compressor is available worldwide, from the UK to Canada, Australia, Singapore, and India.

All the compressors come equipped with a highly informative manual, which will help you install and use the device. They also come with a cross reference and troubleshooting guide, where you will find the compressor type, serial number, model, nomenclature chart, technical specifications, and data on various parts and quality.

As far as technical support goes, Emerson Technologies has a Customer Service which you can turn to in case you need a replacement, your compressor has suffered a failure and have tech problems with your ac, freezer, or heater. They can also help you with the wiring part, which can be tricky, even though they do provide a special diagram for it, especially for first time users.

They provide help with the controller as well, which many people ask for help with, especially when they have installed a digital compressor. Warranty is offered and you can use the customer service to ask for the terms and conditions specs, which you can also lookup on their website.

On their official site, you can also find a complete catalogue and brochures that present their entire offer and which will make it a lot easier for you to find the compressor you need. In order to find local dealers or distributors for your area, use the distributor locator app they have kindly provided and it will be a lot easier to shop for your desired items. This is one way of buying the device, via their distributors, but you can also try resellers, such as Ebay or Amazon, that might offer them for sale.

The Copeland compressors have all been specifically designed with the purpose of increasing energy efficiency, lowering noise levels, increasing their durability and reliability. They are environmentally friendly and pride themselves on their high performance levels.

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Do It YourSelf WebSites

August 15, 2014 by HVAC Expert

Online Sites for HVAC Do-It-Yourselfers
A Review
By Betty Stephens

Need help in getting started on a Do-It-Yourself HVAC project? Here are some links to resources that may help you out.

Ductworks: The Original On-Line DIY Heating & Cooling – A Help site for Do-It-Yourself homeowners and builders to set them save money by offering initial help when they cannot find what they are looking for. May call or fill out a “Contact Us” form and they will find it for you. They are providers of HVAC products
https://www.ductworks.net/

Mold in HVAC System – Mold Removal Guide | Air Conditioner
removemoldguide.com/do-it-yourself/remove-mold-in-air-conditioning.
You are guided through the steps for your DIY air conditioner mold removal project.
www.central-air-conditioner-and-refrigeration.com/central_air_condition
o

HVAC Parts: If you’re not, changing the filter once a month, it will help. You’ll be … You may read this “Fix It Yourself or Do It Yourself” material online and it sounds great. You try it … You won’t find any professional hvac site that will teach how to installs it.
http://http://www.hvacpartsoutlet.com/

Need assistance finding your furnace or air conditioner parts? This site caters to do it yourself (DIY) homeowners and handymen, as well as HVAC Help Desk. McAfee SECURE sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud..
www.doityourself.com/

Website and internet advice for HVAC businesses: Office manager or unlucky ones that been told to “get us on the internet” or “fix than website! A couple of great do-it-yourself website software), goal is to cut through the noise and demystify the online marketplace, and to help you achieve a better understanding.
www.energystar.gov

HVAC Maintenance Tips • For Home Improvement Homeowners choose to take on duct sealing as a do-it-yourself project. Do-It-Yourself Air Conditioning Repair – YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCGpX2ru2Xc

Denver, CO Plumbing & HVAC Parts Department:
http://www.bellplumbing.com/denver-remodeling/plumbing-parts-departme

Do it yourself plumbing and HVAC projects in the Denver area: If an exact replacement is no longer available, we’ll help you find the best HVAC Training Videos, Watch and learn how to do hvac.
www.hvac-for-beginners.com/hvac-training-videos.html

Do It Yourself Geothermal Installations:
www.geothermalgenius.org/…/diy-geo-do-it-yourself-geothermal-installa

Web site for HVAC Repair Beginners. If you are having problems with your heating or cooling system, you should be able to find most of the common problems by using the air conditioner, furnace, heat pump, or boiler troubleshooting.
http://www.hvac-for-beginners.com/

Do-it-Yourself Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation: Contact for all of your do-it-yourself heating, air-conditioning, and ventilating needs.
http://dalehuberco.com/

HVAC Installation: Doing a home HVAC installation is rather straight forward. Do it yourself what you may think will be the easiest part of a home HVAC installation is probably is not.
www.doityourself.com/stry/hvac-installation

Ductwork Design Services and heating & cooling products for the Do-It-Yourself homeowner. The design services start at $275 and include a Free Step-by-Step Ductwork Installation DVD with each design package. Half of your design fees can be applied to the purchase of your complete HVAC system.
https://www.ductworks.net/

Solar Power

August 10, 2014 by HVAC Expert

Solar Power
By Betty Stephens

Today human’s energy production is derived mainly from fuels, such as coil, oil and gas. Most of that energy is the sun’s stored energy. Sunlight is actually the Earth’s primary source of energy. Solar Power is the energy generated by sunlight. Solar energy is being increasingly adopted throughout the globe because of its environmental benefits. This type of energy produces no waste and does not give out any harmful emissions. Also, it does not put a strain on the Earth’s ecosystem by using up too much land.
The amount of energy generated by photosynthesis about six times larger than the whole human power consumption. There are two ways to convert sunlight into electricity: directly or indirectly.
1. Direct conversion is achieved by using Solar Panels. The solar panels are constructed with silicon PV cells/ Solar Panels can be installed on the ground, on countryside houses, or massive power plants, or on rooftops.

2. Indirect conversion is achieved by concentrating sunlight using lenses or mirrors to generate heat. The heat is then transferred to a transfer fluid for a conventional power plant or it can even be combined with PV arrays to improve their efficiency. It is the same basic process as using a magnifying glass to burn something.
How Solar Panel Work
Solar cells work because of the tendency of certain natural materials, called semiconductors, to convert light energy into an electric charge. Each cell produces a small voltage, and when you connect many cells together in a panel, their voltages add together to produce enough electrical power for home or industrial use. Solar panels produce free energy, but their production and installation involve significant expense.

Solar panels produce a DC voltage that fluctuates with the intensity of the impinging sunlight. To use this voltage to charge a battery, you have to regulate it and match it to the battery voltage by connecting the panels to the battery via a charge controller. This controller not only regulates voltage, it also monitors the batteries and disconnects the current when they are full to prevent overcharging. In order to use the DC current from the batteries in your house, you must route the electricity through an inverter, which converts it to usable AC current.
To approximately measure the efficiency and solar power output of your installation you can use one of the available online solar calculators. They can provide you with a rough estimate of your need.

Solar Calculators
1. PVWatts is the standard and most accepted one inside the solar community. A tool developed and hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
You can use the following link: PVWatts map viewer
There you can either pick your location by using the map or directly entering your ZIP code. When found, you should click the “Send to PVWatts” button.
Then you will be sent to the PVWatts Calculator page where you will be asked to fill in some details corresponding to your hypothetical PV array setup. The application is well documented and provides help for every field.
2. Solar Estimator is a very good application from solar-estimate.org that has a wider variety of options such as solar hot water systems and solar spa/pool heating. You can test it by clicking this link. The approach is different from PVWatts since it returns the necessary setup to provide a determined percentage of your electrical consumption. The information output is complete, showing charts and lots of useful data.
1. Find Solar Calculator is an application similar to the Solar Estimator with much less output information but with interesting data like carbon emission savings. You can test it by clicking this link.
2. The rest. Most contractors’ website have their own solar calculators.
When considering installing your own PV solar system, speak to a qualified and licensed solar professional about your specific situation. Keep in mind the following benefits. Advantages:
• Free Energy – The sun provides the “fuel” to generate power for the home’s electrical system and components. This saves money on electricity bills
• Clean Energy – Electricity generated by the sun produces no harmful emissions. This reduces the home’s carbon footprint.
• Installation Incentives – Federal, state and local jurisdictions periodically offer grants, tax breaks, discounts and rebates for the installation of renewable energy products, including solar systems.
• Reduced Dependency – Generating your own solar power using panels on your roof means you are not as dependent on utilities and the electric power grid to provide your electricity.
Disadvantages:
• Inconsistent Fuel Source – The sun doesn’t shine 24 hours a day. Some locations have trees or taller buildings that could shade your roof.
• High Initial Cost – Even with multiple incentives, a solar power system may still cost tens of thousands of dollars.
• Site preparation – If the system is a retrofit (not part of new construction, but built on to an existing structure), expenses related to reconfiguring the house’s electric system will be necessary.
• Maintenance – Generating your own electricity means that the upkeep of the system is in your hands

A/C Technicians

August 10, 2014 by HVAC Expert

What Does an HVAC Tech Do?
By Betty Stephens

HVAC Professionals
HVAC technicians are professionals in the field of heating, ventilation, air conditioning service and support. They can be an independent contractor or employed by a company that specializes in climate control solutions.

They work in residential homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, or factories. Their worksites may be very hot or cold because the heating and cooling system they must repair is broken. They are mostly full time workers. Technicians generally work indoors, but may have to work on outdoor heat pumps, in bad weather. They often work in awkward or cramped spaces, and some work in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heating system is broken.
The HVAC technician may install new systems and therefore must be proficient in reading blueprints connected to the installation, and participates in preparing the space for the installation of new equipment including the ductwork construction and installation as well as the main components for the system. The HVAV technician is responsible for making sure the installation is conducted in compliance with local regulations, so that the unit provides efficient heating and air conditioning.
Maintenance of Existing Systems
The HVAC technicians may also maintain existing systems, inspecting each component in the system. This includes making sure that each portion of the overall system is functioning at an acceptable level of efficiency. If a part is wearing out or in danger of breaking down, the technician repairs the unit. An HVAC technician checks for ventilation efficiency of a system and makes adjustments.

HVAC Tech Tools
HVAC technicians must use several types of tools on their job. They often use screwdrivers, wrenches, pipe cutters and other basic hand tools when installing systems. To test or install complex system components, technicians may use more sophisticated tools, such as carbon monoxide testers, voltmeters, combustion analyzers, and acetylene torches. When working on air conditioning and refrigeration systems, technicians must follow government regulations regarding the conservation, recovery, and recycling of refrigerants. This often entails proper handling and disposal of fluids.

Selling Services
HVAC technicians may also sell service contracts to their clients, providing regular maintenance of heating and cooling systems. HVAC techs often used other craft workers at times to help install or repair cooling and heating systems. On a large air conditioning installation job, other contractors may work on the project, such as a ductwork; a sheet metal workers, installers, or electricians.

Cooling Glass Sun Rooms

July 28, 2014 by HVAC Expert

Sunrooms – Heating and Cooling
By Betty Stephens

Sunroom
This room may be called a solarium or conservatory. It is usually a glassed-in living space typically attached to the house and accessible from indoors designed to function as additional living area during mild weather but may be too hot or cold in the heart of summer or winter.

When a homeowner decides on a four season sunroom, the space must have a heating and cooling system. A space with most of the walls being windows needs proper temperature control. A four season sunroom should be comfortable all year long, even in the coldest winter months and hottest summer months. Since most homeowners already have central air conditioning in their home the sunroom can tap into the existing system. This is done by bringing ductwork into the sunroom and installing vents. The method is easy to keep the temperature of the room consistent with the rest of the house. A separate thermostat can also be installed and the sunroom’s temperature can be adjusted without affecting the rest of the house.
Need for Heating and Cooling
Since the need for heating and cooling is so variable throughout the year and even throughout the course of a day, independent temperature control in a room of this type is critical. If the thermostat that controls the home HVAC system is in the middle of the rest of the house and it is a mild, sunny day, the system will have very few calls for heating or cooling but the sunroom could be baking hot and will stay that way until the sun goes down.

Mini-split AC Units
While using existing ductwork is a very effective way to heat/cool a four season room, sometimes it is not an option. This method can be more difficult (and more costly) if the home is built on a concrete slab. There is another option for the homeowner is a mini-split air conditioning unit. They are slim and compact, wall-mounted systems. Mini-splits are usually installed high on a wall so that they are not at eye level, even though these units look quite stylish. The compressor is located outside of the sunroom with the tubing running behind the walls, completely out of site.

A mini-split it is a split system like most central air systems found in homes, with an inside air handler/evaporator unit and an outdoor condenser/compressor unit that are connected by refrigerant, power, and communications lines. One difference is it doesn’t use ductwork to distribute the air, but rather the wall mounted indoor unit handles moving the air. While these units can also be used to heat and cool an entire home very effectively, they’re almost tailor made for sunrooms. They are quiet, efficient, and powerful. These units are completely independent from the central HVAC system and as such can either keep the room perfectly comfortable or be completely switched off if the room isn’t used. They come in a range of options from cooling only non-inverter compressor units to hyper-heat high output heat pumps with an inverter compressor that is able to vary its output to match the exact need of the room.

Other Options
Other options for heating and cooling is using a PTAC unit (called a Hotel unit) which is similar to what is seen in hotel rooms, or a portable air conditioning units. Homeowners can have radiant floor heating or base board heating installed. However, they only heat the sunroom and won’t provide a cooling mechanism.

Location of Sunroom
Deciding the best location for the sunroom room is the first step when planning a glass or screen addition. In northern climates, a southern exposure is best because it receives the most light each day.

In the South, a southern exposure means additional cooling is necessary, which could be costly.

An eastern exposure eases cooling by providing sun in the morning and shade the rest of the day, but not so great for after work.

A western exposure will expose you to harsh afternoon sun that needs to be shaded.

A northern exposure provides lower levels of light and partial shade most of the day. In the North, this can cause the room to be too cool and damp, but it can work fine in the South.

Thomas Midgley Jr. – Inventor of Refrigerant

July 23, 2014 by HVAC Expert

Thomas Midgley, Jr
By Betty Stephens

Inventor of Freon and Leaded Gas
Thomas Midgley, Jr. (May 18, 1889 to November 2, 1944) was an American mechanical engineer and chemist. He was a key figure in a team of chemists, led by Charles F. Kettering, that developed the tetraethyl lead (TEL) additive to gasoline as well as some of the first chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). He was granted over a hundred patents. He was honored for his scientific contributions during his lifetime but, the negative environmental impact of some of his innovations has tarnished his legacy.
Midgley was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. His father was also an inventor. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Cornell University in 1911 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
He started work at General Motors in 1916. In December 1921, while working under the direction of Kettering at Dayton Research Laboratories, a subsidiary of General Motors, He discovered that the addition of TEL to gasoline prevented “knocking” in internal combustion engines. The company named the substance “Ethyl”, avoiding all mention of lead in reports and advertising.

Oil companies and automobile manufacturers, especially General Motors which owned the patent jointly filed by Kettering and Midgley, promoted the TEL additive as a superior alternative to ethanol or ethanol-blended fuels. December 1922, the American Chemical Society awarded Midgley the 1923 Nichols Medal for the “Use of Anti-Knock Compounds in Motor Fuels”.

Lead Poison
In 1923, Midgley took a time off to cure himself of lead poisoning. “After about a year’s work in organic lead,” he wrote in January 1923, “I find that my lungs have been affected and that it is necessary to drop all work and get a large supply of fresh air.” He went to Miami, Florida for vacation.

Freon
In the 1920s, air conditioning and refrigeration systems employed compounds such as ammonia (NH3), chloromethane (CH3Cl), propane, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) as refrigerants. These were toxic, flammable or explosive and, in the event of leakage, could result in serious illness, injury or even death. The Frigidaire division of General Motors, at that time a leading manufacturer of such systems, sought a non-toxic, non-flammable alternative to these refrigerants Kettering, the vice president of General Motors Research Corporation at that time, assembled a team that included Midgley and Albert L. Henne to develop such a compound.

The team soon narrowed their focus to alkyl halides (the combination of carbon chains and halogens), which were known to be highly volatile and also chemically inert. They eventually settled on the concept of incorporating fluorine into a hydrocarbon. They rejected the assumption that such compounds would be toxic, believing that the stability of the carbon fluorine bond would be sufficient to prevent the release of hydrogen fluoride or other potential breakdown products. The team eventually synthesized dichlorodifluoromethane, the first chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), which they named “Freon”. This compound is more commonly referred to today as “Freon 12”, or “R 12”.

Freon and other CFCs soon replaced the various toxic or explosive substances previously used as refrigerants, and were later used in other applications, such as propellants in aerosol spray cans and asthma inhalers. The Society of Chemical Industry awarded Midgley the Perkin Medal in 1937 for this work.

His Legacy
In 1940, at the age of 51, Midgley contracted polio, leaving him disabled. This led him to devise an elaborate system of strings and pulleys to help lift him out of bed. This system was the cause of his death when he was entangled in the ropes of this device and died of strangulation at the age of 55.

Midgley died three decades before the ozone-depleting effects of CFCs in the atmosphere became widely known. Another adverse effect of Midgley’s work was the release of large quantities of lead into the atmosphere as a result of the large-scale combustion of leaded gasoline all over the world.

Thomas Midgley, Jr

EPA Bans Additional Refrigerants

July 22, 2014 by HVAC Expert

EPA to Ban More ‘Unacceptable’ Refrigerants
By Betty Stephens

EPA Action
A list of refrigerants unacceptable by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grew by leaps and bounds on July 10, when EPA proposed to prohibit the use of certain chemicals that significantly contributes to climate change.
The EPA’s action is to reduce emissions of hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of “potent greenhouse gases,” under President Obama’s Climate Action Plan. EPA says it estimates the ban reduces greenhouse gases by up to 42 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020, equal to the carbon dioxide emissions from the annual electricity use of more than five million homes.
Under the authority of the Clean Air Act, EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program evaluates substitute chemicals and technologies that are safe for the ozone layer. The proposed action would change the status of certain so-called “high-global warming potential (GWP) HFCs” that were previously listed as acceptable under the SNAP Program to be unacceptable in specific end-uses based on information showing that other alternatives are available for the same uses that pose lower risk overall to human health or the climate.
List of New Unacceptable Refrigerants

• HFC-125 as unacceptable
• HFC-134a as unacceptable
• R-507A and R-404A as unacceptable
• HCFC Blend Delta (also known as Free Zone), Freeze 12, GHG-X5, and HCFC Blend Lambda (also known as GHG-HP) as unacceptable
• HFC-227ea, R-407B, R-421B, R-422A, R-422C, R-422D, R-428A, and R-434A as unacceptable.
• HFC-134a and certain other HFC refrigerant blends as unacceptable.
• HFC-134a and blends thereof as unacceptable

In addition to automotive refrigerants and aerosol propellants, the new EPA list includes:
For A. New and retrofit retail food refrigeration (including stand-alone equipment, condensing units, direct supermarket systems, and indirect supermarket systems) and for new and retrofit vending machines, as of January 1, 2016: the HFC blends R-507A and R-404A are unacceptable.
• B. For new and retrofit retail food refrigeration (including direct supermarket systems and indirect supermarket systems), as of January 1, 2016: HFC-227ea, R-407B, R-421B, R-422A, R-422C, R-422D, R-428A, and R-434A are unacceptable.
•
• C. For new, stand-alone retail food refrigeration and new vending machines, as of January 1, 2016: HFC-134a and certain other HFC refrigerant blends are unacceptable.
•
• D. For all foam blowing end-uses, as of January 1, 2017, except where allowed under a narrowed use limit: HFC-134a and blends thereof are unacceptable; HFC-143a, HFC-245fa and HFC-365mfc and blends thereof, and the HFC blends Formacel B, and Formacel Z-6 are unacceptable in all foam blowing end-uses where they are currently listed as acceptable, except for spray foam applications.
•
• E. HFC blend Formacel TI is unacceptable in all foam blowing end-uses where it is currently listed as acceptable.
Summary
This rule also proposes to list as unacceptable certain hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) being phased out under the Montreal Protocol where substitutes are available that pose overall lower risk to human health and/or the environment. This proposal responds to the President’s Climate Action Plan by prohibiting certain uses of high global warming potential HFCs where alternatives are available that are safer for human health and the environment. The emissions reductions from this proposed rule are estimated to be 31 to 42 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2020.

R134A Quest – Auto Re-Charge Kit

July 20, 2014 by HVAC Expert

Auto Freon R134A Recharge Kit – Quest
By Betty Stephens

Auto Cooling
The auto cooling system protects the engine from overheating as the vehicle runs. Since the engine burns fuel, it produces energy: one third of it turns into mechanical power, while the rest is transformed into heat. But not all that heat goes straight out of the tail pipe. Even on the hottest summer day, the temperature will never be higher than it is under the hood. If it weren’t for the cooling system, the engine would be damaged by the excessive heat.
The processes in the cooling system, first, the water pump pushes fluid to the engine block to absorb heat. Then, the mixture travels to the radiator, where it is cooled by the fan and the air stream coming from the outside. Once the fluid is cooled, it goes back to the engine, and the operation starts over again. The thermostat controls the engine’s temperature and doesn’t allow the flow of coolant from the engine back to the radiator.
Do It Yourself AC Recharge Kit
If you are looking for an air conditioning kit that will get your car back on the road, then you might want to check out the auto Freon R134a Kit called Quest at Auto Parts. This AC kit is backed by our industry leading warranty, and the best USA based auto parts customer service and repair knowledge professionals in the business.
Quest is three 12 oz. cans of High Mileage R134a for a full system charge plus a recharge hose with gauge handle for checking system pressure while adding refrigerant. Also includes R134a high side and low side retrofit fittings and a third fitting for pre-1976 vehicles and late model imports, caps, EPA approved label, and complete instructions. Auto Parts stocks a wide range of ac kits for every make and model of car, truck and SUV. The AC Kits are manufactured to the highest quality standards. This AC kit is backed by industry leading warranty.
R134a is a long-term, HFC alternative with similar properties to R-12. It is the new industry standard refrigerant for automotive air. R-134A with sub-zero synthetic air conditioning boost increases cooling capacity by improving lubricity and creating better heat exchange. It provides up to 18 percent colder air and is compatible with all PAG and ester lubricants. It comes with a reusable recharge hose and low pressure gauge with temperature dial indicator built into the handle

Quest R-134a Retrofit Kit
This Kit can quickly convert an R12 system to R134a in 10 minutes. It contains 3 oz. can of retrofit oil with special conversion additives:
a. Stop Leak,
b. O-ring conditioner,
c. Patented R134a recharge hose with quick-connect and can tap.
Also includes R134a high side and low side retrofit fittings, caps, EPA approved label, and complete instructions.
Note: ‘R-134A also known as HFC-134A is a hydro fluorocarbons refrigerant essentially used as residential and automotive refrigerants.’ It was developed to replace ‘chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)’ refrigerants that were detrimental to the ozone layer.
Note: A refrigerant is a substance or mixture, usually a fluid, used in a heat pump and refrigeration cycle. In most cycles it undergoes phase transitions from a liquid to a gas and back.
Note: HFC = Hydro FluoroCarbons

Casino Air

July 17, 2014 by HVAC Expert

Casino Air Quality
BY Betty Stephens

Casinos are one of the few public places that allow indoor smoking. They are faced with a unique air quality challenge. In addition to cigarette smoke, gaming facilities must also control malodors related to customer density, food services and restroom facilities in order to encourage guests to stay and play. In the competitive world of casino gaming, allowing an unfavorable smell to drive players away can be costly to business. Most casino operators don’t realize the amount of paper ash, tar, nicotine, and carcinogens that are emitted into the breathing zone from a single burning cigarette.
Casino Atmosphere
The atmosphere in casinos, with or without smoke, is extremely dirty. The constant flow of people in and out creates a variety of pollutants, including bacteria and virus droplets that are passed on to employees. Dirt, perspiration, cologne, perfume, skin flakes, and other human emissions combine to make unacceptable indoor air quality in most gaming environments.

Use of Chemicals
Scented chemicals are used to mask the order from tobacco and other orders in casinos. The uses of scented chemicals that have major health implications associated with them are intentionally being pumped into casinos to mask tobacco smoke odors. Sooner or later their employees can become sick. The utilization of chemically fragrant products through a casino’s ventilation system is not healthy. Laboratory tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics revealed 38 secret chemicals in 17 name brand products, with an average of 14 secret chemicals per product. The chemicals in commercial fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum and natural gas, known as petrochemicals. On average, 80% of fragrance formulations are comprised of these chemicals and in some cases, 100% of a formula can be synthetic.

A night of exciting entertainment and sparkling lights is more enjoyable in a freshly scented environment. Removing unwanted odors in crowded places encourages people to stay and play. Keeping guests on the game floor longer and higher revenues are guaranteed. Quality air scents denote a sense of elegance and class to an establishment, and visitors spend more time and money in these places.
Health advocates are warning gamblers that they may be risking their health along with their money when they play at casinos. A study released recently by two area health organizations found unhealthy levels of air pollution on the smoky gaming floors of casinos.

Casinos Exempt from Clean Air Laws
Casinos often receive exemptions to clean indoor air laws. That special treatment has put gaming establishments on the front lines in recent battles over whether to curb or extend legal restrictions on smoking. Nationwide, city councils and state legislatures have fought over including casinos in their smoking bans.
Casinos insist that their business relies disproportionately on smokers, while health advocates point to profitable casinos in states where smoking isn’t allowed.

The Problem with Cigarette Smoke
Cigarette smoke is a very difficult pollutant to remove from the air. This is because there are two major components to the smoke. The first problem of cigarette smoke is the many toxic gasses produced by burning cigarettes. Ammonia gasses, Carbon Monoxide, and phenol are just a few of the dozens of toxic gasses produced when cigarettes are burned; these gasses have foul odors and are highly toxic.
The second problematic component of cigarette smoke is the very high level of tar solids that are disseminated into the air when cigarettes are burned. This petroleum based tar clouds the air and sticks to every surface of the room. This tar discolors paint and it also has a terrible, sickening odor.
Summary
There are air technologies that can eliminate more than just tobacco odor and smoke. Using activated oxygen generated by molecular oxidizers can sterilize the air handlers and existing ductwork while killing harmful microorganisms such as Legionella, mold, and mildew in the process. 75% of people in the U.S. don’t smoke, and most of them are bothered by second hand smoke when they go to public places. So Casino patrons will breathe and feel better in an establishment if it is smoke free.

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